Owl rescued from fishing line at Pretty Corner in Sheringham

Twelve-year-old Henry Gill spotted the stricken bird on Wednesday afternoon while walking with his father, Mike, at Pretty Corner Woods near Sheringham.

Mr Gill took photos and posted them on a local Facebook group, writing: "Not very nice pics but didn't know where else to report.

The owl was spotted hanging from a branch above the pond (Image: Mike Gill) "There is a small owl tangled on fishing line across the lake up Pretty Corner.

"Unfortunately, it's already passed away."

His post sparked anger online, with locals demanding greater responsibility from anglers to clear up after themselves.

But in a surprising turn of events, another member of the public managed to reach the owl and discovered it was still alive.

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The bird, a small female tawny owl, was rushed to Phoenix Bird of Prey Rescue Centre.

Jo Daffin of Phoenix Rescue Centre with a rescued barn owl (Image: Archant Norfolk.) Jo Daffin, founder and "chief rehabber" at the charity, said: “She's doing really well.

"The fishing line, unfortunately, got wrapped around her wing and foot, clamping them together.

"We’ve removed the line, and she’s on antibiotics while her wounds heal.

"We’re hoping to release her next week.”

The tawny owl is on the mend at Phoenix Rescue Centre (Image: Phoenix Rescue Centre) The owl is also believed to be a mother, with chicks waiting for her in the wild.

Ms Daffin added: “She has a brood spot, which means she’s recently been nesting.

“But the chicks should have already fledged the nest and dad should be helping to look after them."

Ms Daffin said the charity also recently rescued another tawny owl found tangled in fishing line in a tree above a pond in Costessey, near Norwich.

Another owl recently rescued by Phoenix Rescue was also caught in fishing line (Image: Phoenix Rescue) She added: "We've had multiple tawny owls caught in fishing line. Multiple.

"Some of them we can't save, sadly, because the injuries are too severe. 

"If you do fish around waterways or find fishing line, please pick it up and take it home and help protect our wildlife."